The Waikato Argus GEORGE EDGECUMBE, Proprietor. SATURDAY, MARCH 20, 1897.

Waikato Argus, Volume II, Issue 109, 20 March 1897, Page 2

The Waikato Argus GEORGE EDGECUMBE, Proprietor. SATURDAY, MARCH 20, 1897.

There is much speculation as to whether the Premier will go Home to do honour to Her Majesty on behalf of New Zealand. Parliament is now prorogued till the 2nd of April, and is not then called together tor the despatch of business. This is taken in some quarters to indicate that he has no intention of representing the colony on the great occasion. We fail to see that this is the case. It is only reasonable that the Treasury Department should have a fortnight at least, after the expiration of the financial year, to prepare a statement to lay before Parliament. This the Opposition will most certainly look for before they vote an imprest supply to carry on the business of the country till he returns and is able to meet Parliament. We are confident that the Opposition would not put any obstacle in the way, if this statement were such as would justify them in leaving the management of the colony in the hands of the Ministry. If the House wt re called together on the 20th April, there would be more than three weeks elapse for the consideration of the Statement before the Premier need leave New Zealand. This should be ample, if by mutual agreement between parties no other business ia allowed to intervene. This might well be, as there are no other questions which call for immediate consideration, This is a matter in which the Premier's own wishes should bo subservient to the will of the people. There is no question but that if a plebiscite were taken more than ninrvtenths of the people would vote that this colony should not be the only one in the Australasian group to refuse to honour Her Majesty, The Premier says he does not care about pageants, this may be so when he can't figure as the chief personage of the show. If he objects to pageantry, he does not object to some little performances of the Barnum description to bring him into notoriety, this was evidenced by the wreath performance over the grave of a baby that had been dead for some fifty years, which he had never seen and probably only heard of a few days previously, To most minds this was an exhibition of very flabby bunkum, but it ad vfiitised Premier Secldon, and possi'jly impressed some people with the idea that he was a man with a poetic il mind and fine feelings. For our part we believe that the Premier will go Home, provided the finances are not in such a mess that Parliament will not allow hi in.

Fitzsimmons beat Corbett for th The English Government lias purchased 10,000 acres of Salisbury Plain for military purposes. Mr Musgrove lias engaged Harry Poultoii, the burlesque actor, for an Australian tour. He sails on April 2. The Hon, Sir Edward Ebenezcr Kay, who recently retired from the position of Lord Justice of Appeal, is dead. The Oxford and Cambridge University crews are in active training for the coming lace. Oxford ii favourite at six to five.

The Dutch liner Utrecht, bound to Java, has been lost off Cape Ushant. One hundred of those on board were druwncd. The French steamer Ville de Saints Nazare foundered oil Cape. Hatterns, on the coast of North Carolina. Eighty persons were drowned. In the Houso of Commons the first clause of the Education Bill passed after a debate lasting three weeks, during which the closuic was frequently applied. The Rabbit Conference, held in Sydney, resolved that it was inadvisable to promote the export of rabeits, as it encouraged brooding and the spread of the pest. We find we omitted the high jump from our list of the events at the Cambridge Sports. It was won by Miss Walker on old Muscatelle, and Mr Sclby was next. The offertory at Christ Church, Ohaupo, to-morrow (Sunday) by kind consult of the authorities of the cjmrch, will be in aid of the fund for relief of the sufferers by the famine in India. It has been decided to keep the Auckland 0.-yter Fishery closed for another year. The district includes all the Hauraki Gulf coast line, with all the estuaries, rivers, creeks and all the islands, including the Great and Little Barrier and Mokohinau. Mr E. Hope, eldest son of Mr E. L. Hope, of Hamilton, is at present on a visit to his parents, and is taking the opportunity to renew many friendships formed in past years. Mr Hope stil! fills the important post of dispenser at the Wellington Hospital, and notwithstanding his often-time long hours, is looking well. The children of the Cambridge and Hamilton Schools, and those attending the intervening institutions, had their annual railway trip to Auckland yesterday. About 600 children and adults were carried. They had fine weather and appear to have enjoyed themselves very much, both on the journey, and in seeing the many novel s'ghts in the northern metropolis. A fatal accident took place on Thursday at the Quay-street Breastwork, Auckland. Captain James Couroy, of the sohoouer Atalanta, whilst speaking to a man on one of the vessels moored to the breastwork, advanced nearer the edge in order to hear better, he tripped and fell over, his head struck the anchor of a vessel, with the result that the forehead was smashed In. He died very shortly afterwards. The usual monthly meeting of the Waikato Farmers' Club will be held at Cambridge on Monday evening, when one of the chief items of business will be making arrangements for the holding of the root and produce show in June next. Hitherto the show has been confiued to roots, cereals, etc., but this year it will embrace all kinds of produce emanating from farms, and we expect the ladies will he well to the fore as exhibitors. A meeting of the Cambridge shareholders of the Fruit Evaporating Company was held on Thursday evening, when the directors received not a little candid criticism. The prevailing opinion appeared to be tliat the shareholders' interests had been preatly neglected by the directors, and we learn that a solicitor lias been engaged to endeavour to make the directors personally liable for the amount of the shares held in the Waikato. Carroll, of vitriol-throwing fame, was again tried at the Supreme Court, Auckland, on Thursday, and found not guilty, the jury being of opinion that although the acid was thrown, there was a doubt as to whether it was done intentionally. The accused was then discharged, and at once there was an outburst of demonstration in favour of the acquitted man. His Honor referred to the scene as the most disgraceful he had ever witnessed, and threatened to lock up the participators. At a Conference between the Christchurch committee of the Progressive Liberal Association ami members of Parliament on old age pensions. Messrs Joycs, Meiedith, Tanner, Taylor, Flatman and Wason were present, The members who spoke said they would support a scheme apart Irom party politics. The meeting pasted a resolution asking the Canterbury members cf the House to continue to procure the affirmation of the principle of universality m the Old Age Pensions Bill. A telegram from Invercargill states that a number of shareholders in the J. G. Ward Farmers' Association have commenced proceedings, with the object of having the chairman (Mr J. G. W aril), the directors, and a number of the officers of the Company, called for examination before the Supreme Court as to the general management of the Company's business, and more especially with reference to the balance-sheets periodically submitted to the shareholders and the public. A meeting of the members of the Waikato Hunt Club Milt he held in the National Hotel, Cambridge, at 3.30 p in. this afternoon. The sport furnished by the club during last winter gained for it great popularity, anc the coming season may be expected to he the most successful yet seen in Waikato. The pack is in good condition, hares are plentiful, and in every part of the district the pack is welcome, the farmers knowing that the followers arc true sportsmen. We trust there will be a good attendance at the meeting to-day, when arrangements for the hunting will be made. The goldfieids townships have, during the past week, on account of the race meetings in the vicinity, been frequented with a large body of spielers. At Te Aroha, on Sunday night, a young man, son of Mr H. Kelly, of Hamilton Fast, had his n om entered and his watch stolen. Suspicion pointed to certain shady characters, who left by the early train for Paeroa, but the charge could not be sheeted home. At the Paeroa r..ces these gentry, wetc plying their shady trade, aud we know of one Hamilton ia:ly who was relievtd of her purse, containing several notes and two gold rings. A deputation of hospital directors has called the attention of the Colonial Secretary of New South Wales to the growing prevalence of consumption. They stated that over a thousand deaths were annually reported in New South Wales from this disease, hut this was far shor t of the real death rate. Victoria, Queensland and South Australia had even higher rates. The deputation urged the necessity for special treatment separate from the public hospitals, and suggested a Commission of Inquiry Mr Brunker favoured a Commission being set up, and promised to consult his colleagues with a view to immediate action. Wc have been requested to announced that mi Sunday ccuing (28th inst.) Rev. J. J. Mather will preach his fate well sermon at Trinity Wesleyan Church, Hamilton. During the three years of Mr Mather's incumbency of the Hamilton district, he has made himself extremely popular, not only with those of his own denomination, but also with the general public. He has taken an active interest in many public matters outside '.he church, and even by tho-c who may have been opposed to him, his straight forwardness ami earnestness of purpose have been admitted, and in whatever sphere the reverend gentleman's lot may he cast, wc an-sure his many good qualities will win him numerous friends. In his church work Mr Mather has got Ins district in such order, both spiritually and financially that lie may feel proud of the state 111 which he will land il over to his successor.

The defective closing of the breech of the gun c uised the explosion on the Russian cruiser. Several of those injured have since died. The total deaths number 21. In the account cuncerning the ' attaclc upon sheep at Fcncourt by weasels in our issue of Thursday last, wo were incorrect in stating that several sheep had recently died aud their deaths believed to be due to the same cause. We learn that the company have not had any sheep die outside the ordinary death rate, which this season has been a very low one. This is very satisfactory to put on record. Statistics lately published bring out the startling fact that 14i4 per cent of the children born in Auckland (including suburbs) in 1895 died before they were 12 months old. In Dunedin (including suburb-;) the number of deaths under one year was only 005 per cent., or less than half the Auckland death rate. To put it in another way, out of every seven children born in Auckland one died within a year, while in Dunedin only one out of every 10 died. We understand that on Thursday next, the 25th inst., there is to" be a church social in the Te Awamutu Town Hall, said to be the first of the winter series, but wc believe it is convened to enable the parishioners and friends to say their farewell to Mrs Wilson, who has for so long performed the duties of organist at St. John's, and who is leaving for Paeroa at the end of this month. Friends who contributed so much to the success of the last winter socials are again asked to come forward and assist a good cause. It will be seen by advertisement that Miss Cclia Dainpier is announced to give a concert at Te Awamutu tonight, at Cambridge on Monday, and at Hamilton on Tuesday. This talented young lady is touring with the object of adding to the fund she is collecting to enable her to go to Europe for the completion of her musical education, fehe has &roit natural talent, ai:d it would be a loss to the musical world if she were debarred this advantage. On each occasion she will be assisted by the best musicians procurable. Aside altogether fiom the quality of the performances she will give, we solicit hcaity support for the lady in her eudeaveur to help herself. At a meeting of the Woodville Borough Council correspondence was read re the price of gas ia the boroughs of Hastings, Palmerston North, and Masterton. In Hastings the ,first price charged was 20s per 1,000 ft; the piice now is 15s per I,oooft, with a discount ot 5s per I,oooft. In Palmerston North the price charged when the gas was first introduced was 17s Od net per I,oooft ; the price now is 15j per I,oooft, subject to a discount of 2s Od per I,oooft. The Masterton Town Clerk reported that the price charged for the gas at the first was at the rate of 20s per I,oooft, with a discount of 5s per I,oooft if paid before the 10th of the. month ; now the price is 17s 0d per I,oooft, with a discouuc of 7s 6d if paid before the 10th of the month. Recently a sudden rise took place in the London market price of New Zealand flax, and great hopes were entertained that this presaged a more prosperous time for that industry (writes the London correspondent cf the Otago Daily Times). It turns out. however, that the advance was due to a prevalent impression in the trade that the revolution in the Philippine Islands would involve a considerable diminution in the pi oduction of sisal and other fibres from those islands. Subsequently it was ascertained that so far the disturbance in the Philippine Islands had not at all interfered with the export of fibre. This latter iscovery has had the result of sending down the quotation for New Zealand flax to much the same level as before. The United States National Board of Trade has passed the following resolution:—"Gold coin to remain the standard; the retirement of United States notes in such a way as not to disturb business; the national banks to be allowed to issue currency equal to the par value of Bonds, and the tax on circulation to be reduced ; the banks to be allowed to issue currency base 1 on their assets under national supervision ; the establishment of banks of issue in towns and villages of not less than three thousand inhabitants. The report of the Committee favours a change in the coins of the United States, Great Britain and Germany, so as to correspond with the common unit of France, Spain and other Fmropean countries, winch contaies twenty -five grains of gold, nine-tenths fine being equal in France to a five franc piece. The Committee recommends the parsing of a Bill now before Congress for an International coin." The question of establishing a superannuation fund or old age pension has been engaging the attention of the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows in this colony for some considerable time past. There can be no doubt as to the importance of the proposal, and if successfully carried out it would he of immense benefit (remarks a Manawatu contemporary). At the last conference of Oddfellows held at Wellington the matter was dehated at length, and a superannuation scheme was approved of. About twelve months ago the Oddfellows of Hawk6's Bay established a fund of this kind, which ensured a payucnt of 10- per week to each member when be had attained the age of 05. The scale of contributions for joining member's was raised accordingly, and the increased fees were made compulsory. From an exchange we learn that the result has been most alaw.iing. There has been such a great falling off in the list of new members that the majority of the lodges of the district have arrived at the conclusion that to continue the present scale of contributions will be detrimental to the interests of the Order. A special district meeting will be held at Hawke's Bay shortly to consider the proposed abolition of the fund. "Writing in the Argus on the mbject of the recent marine engineers' stiiue on the other side, " Oriel " says : —Perhaps the greatest sufferer of all was the gentleman who took passage for Launeeston by the Coogcc, and, after the manner of the masculine animal when bound on a bachelor holiday, invited as many of his friends as he could possilly gather together to see him off. The presence in this little gathering of two or three returned West Australians, wdio insisted on shouting champagne, made the valedictoiy cerenicny an exceedingly lively one, and at a comparatively early hour in the proceedings the voyager found it expedient to seek the seclusion that a cabin grants, and hide his troubles in sleep. When he woke the next morning, the vessel had already moored alongside, so collecting his impedimenta he crawled ou deck, braved the dangers of the gangway, and ordered the first cabman to drive him to the Brisbane. "Don't know where it is, sir," says cabby. " Don't know the Brisbane ? Why, everybody in Launeeston knows it." " But this ain't Lauuceston—its Melbourne, " Ship didn't sail, sir, inconsequence of the strike." '' Ship didn't sail ?" muttered the bewildered traveller. " Then," tiiumphantly, " Why in the blazes was I sea-sick."

Sheet music hound, cheaply and strongly, at The Waikato Ami s officeHamilton. The it.son population of England line fallen off of late y.iirs- Out of 113 prisons ,">7 have been altogether closed. We direct attention to an ndvertißement in another column re the Special Trading Company having opened in Hamilton. Mr \V. J. Hunter advertises full particulars re his dealing .sale on account el Mr \V. J. Smith, x'timaheru, which is to take place on the -JOili iust.